Pivotal blade clamping mechanism for a razor



J. .c. FITZGERALD 3,276,117

PIVOTAL BLADE CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR A RAZOR Oct. 4, 1966 Filed May 15, 1964 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. JOHN C. FITZGERALD ;,L.A4:7 J we? ATTORNEX PIVOTAL BLADE CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR A RAZOR Filed May 15, 1964 J. C. FKTZGERALD Oct. 4, 1966 2 Sheets$heet 2 INVENTOR. JOHN C. FITZGERALD ATTORNEY United States Patent PIVOTAL BLADE CLAMPING MECHANIS FOR A RAZOR John C. Fitzgerald, 1221 Aguila Ave., Coral Gables, Fla. Filed May 15, 1964, Ser. No. 367,746 3 Claims. '(Cl. 30-59) This invention relates to a blade clamping mechanism and, more particularly, to a blade clamping mechanism including a first member and a second member moveable relative to one another in a predetermined movement into and out of a blade clamping position.

In the past, there have been numerous blade clamping mechanisms of the type which include a first and a second member moveable relative to each other into and out of a blade clamping position wherein the members are arranged to co-operate such that a blade may be removeably sandwiched between the members and secured therein for use and ready disposal when the use thereof has been completed. The present invention is a mechanism of this general type; it is particularly adapted for use in a razor structure.

The invention includes a pair of cooperating members wherein one of the members is anchored or aifixed to a base portion and the other member is reciprocally moveable out of and int-o opposed blade clamping relation upon manipulation of an operator to transmit, through a force transmitting element, a reciprocal movement to the second member through two stages of move ment, a first stage of translation and a second stage of rotation.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a mechanism for removeably clamping a blade between a first and a second member wherein the second Irnember is constrained to a predetermined path of reciprocal movement relative to the first member, which is connected to a base or handle, and wherein the second member is connected to a push rod or force transmitting element having portions which connect to the second member for movement with the push rod and which portions are guided by mutually inter-engaged means on the members operative to constrain movement of the second member through a first stage of movement of translation and through a second stage which is primarily movement of rotation about a transverse axis passing through the said members, when the mechanism is opened.

It is also an object of this invention to provide for use in a razor structure including .a handle and a blade clamping mechanism, a first fixed member fastened through the handle and a second member moveable relative to the first member and handle into and out of opposed blade clamping relation which, upon operation of a force transmitting element, is adapted to be moved through a first stage of vertical movement of translation and through a second stage of movement which is generally rotational about a transverse axis which does not pass through the plane in which the principal axis of the handle is located.

It is another object of this invention to provide a razor structure for a razor blade which permits a compact slim improved blade clamping mechanism, whereby a razor blade may be used which is substantially one-half the width of many of the conventional safety razor blades in commercial use and which provides an equal amount of shaving area or edge on the working blade.

It is a general object of this invention to provide an efiicient and relatively inexpensive blade clamping mechanism for use in a razor structure which is adapted to be constructed of a minimum amount of material and which is otherwise well adapted for the purpose for which it is intended.

3,Z76,l 17 Patented Oct. 4, 1966 In accordance with these and other objects which will become apparent hereinafter, the instant invention will now be described with reference .to the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment thereof.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of the blade clamping mechanism mounted to a base or handle provided with an operator connected to a moveable force transmitting element captivated in the handle.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the blade clamping mechanism and handle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the razor structure illustrating the blade holding mechanism.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a razor blade of the type which is receivable in the blade clamping mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an exploded side elevation view of the blade clamping mechanism illustrating a fixed lower member bracketed as indicated by 13, which is normally assembled to the handle, and an opposed end moveable upper member 14 which is connected for movement with a force transmitting member 17 for moving the upper member relative to the lower member; the leg of 14 designated by the numeral 54 being broken away to show the hole 59 and the leg 53 being broken away to show the slot 56, as will be apparent hereinafter.

FIG. 6 is an exploded sectional view taken on the line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a plan view taken along the line 7--7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the blade clamping mechanism, partly in cross-section, and taken along the line 88 of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

FIG. 9 is a side elevation View, partly in cross-section, similar to that of FIG. 8 and illustrating the upper member at a point in its travel adjacent the end of the first stage of movement of translation.

FIG. 10 is a side elevation view, partly in cross-section, similar to that of FIGS. 8 and 9 and illustrating the blade lclamping mechanism in an open position for receiving a lade.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 1111 of FIG. 8 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the different views, and referring particularly to FIG. 1, .FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the numeral 11 generally designates a razor structure including an upper blade clamping mechanism 12, comprising (a) a force transmitting element 17 including a slender rod, (b) a first member 13 and (c) a second member 14 movable in limited amount relative one to the first member 13 which is connected to a base, such as the hollow handle 16. The second member 14 is connected to a force transmitting element 17 which as shown includes a slender push rod captivated within the handle 16 and constrained to limited axial movement within 'the handle upon manipulation of an operating means 18 and for moving the member 14 relative to the member 13.

Generally in operation, and with reference to FIG- URES *8 to -11, the member 14 is moveable relative to the member 13, first, from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 9 such that it is moved vertically or, otherwise stated, perpendicularly to the main horizontal plane of the first member 13 through a first stage of vertical movement of translation and, second, from the position shown in FIG. 9 to the position shown in FIG. 10, which is through a second stage of movement in which the member 14 is generally rotated to an out-of-the-way position, the rotation being about a horizontal transverse axis which is offset relative to a transverse line through member 14 which is offset relative to the central vertical plane in which the principal axis of the force transmitting element 17 travels, as will be explained.

Referring more particularly to the preferred construction shown for carrying out the invention and referring particularly to the first member 13, it is a stationary razor blade head or support and, as shown, includes a shield 19 of channel section which is generally U-shaped in cross section which is mounted as at 21, FIG. 1, to the upper end 22 of the handle with a hole 23 centrally disposed in the floor 24 such that the hole communicates with the interior chamber 26, FIG. 11, of the hollow handle 16. Again referring to FIGURES and 6, opposed end pieces 27 and 27' close the opposite ends 28 and 28 of the shield 19 of channel section, the said end pieces each having a central vertical guide means such as the slots 31 and 32 with an offset hole 33 and 34 forming seats adjacent each guide slot intermediate the vertical length thereof. The opposed sides 35 and 36 of the U-shaped channel are provided with drainage slots 37 and 38 and thus, as illustrated, the first member 13 frames what is generally a parallelepipedal body to receive and support a razor blade thereover and having an interior working chamber or protected space adapted for drainage as by the drainage slots. Further, it is apparent that the working chamber may be framed by any suitable structure for the purposes to be described. The open top of the channel is bridged by the blade contact and support surface 39 which includes a raised central transverse blade positioning rib 41 and, also, includes depending outer lips 42 and 43 with transverse drainage slots 44 and 45 in the margins of the lips. The ends of the blade contact and support surface 39 may be depressed or curved downwardly to provide a space between the thumb and forefinger to facilitate grasping of the opposed ends of the blade 46.

As shown, the second member 14 is a blade clamping member which is generally U-shaped in transverse cross section and comprises a top clamp portion 48 with a center positioning slot 49, which is adapted to be normally nested over the rib 41 of the member 13, and two depending opposite side legs 53 and 54 which extend downwardly and slideably embrace, or nest over, the end pieces 27 and 27' of the member 13. Each of the legs is provided with an offset vertical guide slot 56 and 57 such that, when the member 14 is in the nested position with the member 13, the vertical center lines of the slots 56 and 57 are generally in the same vertical plane as the vertical diameters of the offset seats 33 and 34 of the end pieces 27 and 27 of the first member Further, each of the legs is provided with a central seat which is designated 58 in leg 53, see FIG. 6 and which is designated 59 in leg 54, see FIG. 5 when the members 13 and 14 are in nested relation, the seats 58 and 59 are located such that a vertical plane passing centrally through the vertical guide slots 31 and 32 of the first member 13 also includes the vertical diameters of the seats or holes 5 8 and 59 therein. In other words, the first and second members 13 and 14 are each provided in each end piece 27 and 27 andeach leg 53 and 54 respectively with a guide slot and a hole or seat, the guide slots of each member being aligned with the seats or holes of the other member when the members are nested together.

The force transmitting element 17 extends through the hole of the floor 24 and includes port-ions, as by a transverse crossbar 61 secured thereto as at 62 to form a T-shaped or Y-shaped member with the stem of the T or Y being moveable axially and captivated in the chamber 26 of the handle 16 and the bar of the T or arms of the Y being moveable and captivated within the working chamber or space defined by the frame of the member 13. The distal ends 63 and 64 of the crossbar are passed through the central guide slots 31 and 32 of the first member and project into and rotatably seat in the central holes 58 and 59 of the member 14. Thus, the member 14 is connected for a first stage of vertical linear movement relative to the main plane of the first member 13 on movement of the force transmitting member 17, with the crossbar 61 being constrained to such linear movement since the distal ends may move linearly in the vertical central opposed slots 31 and 32, and for a second stage of rotational movement to be explained.

Aligned pivot pin means 66 and 67 connected to the first member 13 are seated in the offset holes 33 and 34 of the end pieces 27 and 27' or otherwise suitably provided to project outwardly to be received in the oifset guide slots 56 and 57 to permit limited movement of the member 14 relative thereto, the said pivot pin means being disposed intermediate the length of the guide slots 56 and 57 when the members are in nested relation.

The operator 18 is rotatably received in the end 70 of the handle 16 and threadably connected to the threaded end 71 of the force transmitting .element 17 and retained in the handle 16 and constrained to rotation only such as by a ring 72 in mating annular grooves 73 and 74 of the interior wall of the handle end and of the extension 76 of the operator. Thus, on rotation of the operator, the push rod is adapted to he traveled axially to move the member 14 which is connected thereto as aforesaid.

The operation will best be understood upon reference to FIGS. 8 through 11. As explained in the foregoing paragraph upon rotation of the operator 18 the push rod is threaded upwardly and travels the crossbar 61 from the position shown in FIG. 8 to the position shown in FIG. 9. The crossbar travels the member 114 upwardly through its connection thereto at the distal ends 63 and 64 of the crossbar which are received in the central seats '58 and 59 to raise the side legs 53 and 54 and consequently the top clamp portion 48 above the support surface 39 and rib 451, as indicated by the arrow of FIG. 11. It is noted that in this movement of translation the area of the crossbar adjacent the distal ends thereof is constrained by the sides of the guide slots to vertical movement only. As shown in FIG. 9 this movement can continue until the aligned pivot pin means 66 and. 67 of the member 13 travel to the floor or bottom of the slot 81, or other suitable mutually interengaging means on the members 13 and 14 operative to limit vertical linear movement of the two members and to permit rotation of the member 14 about the pivot pin means. When the pivot pin means 66 and 67 rest upon the lower slot 81 further vertical movement of the member '14 is prohibited; however, continued force on the member 17, by manipulation of the operator 18 tending to move it in an upward direction, causes a torque around the axis of the pivot pin means which, assuming the crossbar and pivot pin means are both in a horizonatl plane, is initially measured by the vertical force applied to the transverse crossbar and the distance between the principal axis of the transverse member 61 and that of the pivot pin means 66 and 67. Thus, the pivot pin means are constrained temporarily to remain at the bottom or floor 81 of the guide slots 56 and 57 of the legs 53 and 54 and the crossbar is fixed relative to it by virtue of its seat in the holes, so that a torque results to rotate the member 14 around the axis of the pivot pin means. There is a tendency to bind at this point if the floor 81 of the slots 56 and 57 are not such that the principal axis of the pivot pin means and that of the transverse bar define a plane which is horizontal. To relieve any binding because of a lack of precision in manufacture, a slight curvature '82 is provided in the wall of the guide slots 31 and 3 2, which permits the following movement to occur without binding even though the aforesaid principal axis is not precisely in the same horizontal plane.

Referring to FIG. 9, on further manipulation of the opera-tor means 18 to cause the force transmitting element 117 to move upwardly the member 14 is caused to pivot with respect to the principal axis of the pivot pin means which rests against the floor '81 and on further upward 5 travel the member 14 rotates to an out of the way position and is pulled back towards the member 13 as the pivot pin means moves along the side wall of the guide slot to bring the member '14 to the position shown in FIG. 10.

When the blade clamping mechanism is open by the movement indicated in FIGS. 8 through 11, a blade 46 may be readily positioned over the rib 41 and by reversing the direction of rotation of the operator 18 the member 14 is first rotated to the position shown in FIG. 9. It is noted that the edge of the member :14 is arranged so that it clears the top surface 85 of the rib 41. When in the position shown in FIG. 9, continued operation of the operator 18 moves the force transmitting element 17 such that it pulls the member 14 down over the blade into the blade clamping position of FIG. 8 whereby the blade is sandwiched between the members 13 and 14 which is the operating position for use of the blade.

While the instant invention has been shown and described herein in what is conceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is therefore not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent apparatus and articles.

What is claimed is:

1. A razor structure for facilitating the insertion and removal of a razor blade comprising: an elongated tubular handle; a first member fixedly connected to and disposed transversely at one end of said handle, said first member including a floor integral with opposed endpieces and an upper support surface extending between said endpieces and spaced above said floor, said support surface including means for orienting a removable razor blade thereon; a second member including a top clamp portion normally overlying said support surface and including integral side legs adjacent to and overlying respective end pieces of said first member; a force transmitting rod displaceably supported in .said handle and terminating in a transverse cross bar disposed above said floor; and means connected between said handle and said rod for moving said rod and cross bar relative to said door, said end pieces each including vertical guide slots in coplanar relation with respect to the longitudinal axis of said handle, said end pieces including pivot pins in coaxial alignment and offset from an intermediate portion of said guide slots and projecting outwardly from said end pieces, said side legs including pivot seats in alignment with said guide slots, the distal ends of said cross bar extending through said guide slots and extending into said pivot seats, said legs including second guide slots offset from said seats and receiving said pivot pins therein, said second guide slots being of a shorter length than said end piece guide slots whereby relative movement of said cross bar upward from said floor initially causes said second member to move vertically from said first member the extent of said second guide slots, and continued movement of said cross bar in said first guide slots causes said second member to pivot laterally about said cross bar and oif said first member.

2. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said end piece guide slots include an intermediate portion curved away from said pivot pins for tending to initiate initial lateral pivoting of said second member with respect to said first member.

3. The structure as claimed in claim 1 in which said first member includes a shield having a U-shaped cross section including opposed sides integral with said floor and extending to said support surface for enclosing said cross bar.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,969,509 8/ 1934 Hammer 30-60 2,858,606 11/ 1958 Wetzler 3059 X FOREIGN PATENTS 836,503 10/ 1938 France. 504,679 4/ 1939 Great Britain.

WILLIAM FELDMAN, Primary Examiner. MYRON C. KRUSE, Examiner. 

2. A RAZOR STRUCTRUE FOR FACILITATING THE INSERTION AND REMOVAL OF A RAZOR BLADE COMPRISING: AN ELONGATED TUBULAR HANDLE; A FIRST MEMBER FIXEDLY CONNECTED TO AND DISPOSED TRANSVERSELY AT ONE END OF SAID HANDLE, SAID FIRST MEMBER INCLUDING A FLOOR INTEGRAL WITH OPPOSED ENDPIECES AND AN UPPER SUPPORT SURFACE EXTENDING BETWEEN SAID ENDPIECES AND SPACED ABOVE SAID FLOOR, SAID SUPPORT SURFACE INCLUDING MEANS FOR ORIENTING A REMOVABLE RAZOR BLADE THEREON; A SECOND MEMBER INCLUDING A TOP CLAMP PORTION NORMALLY OVERLYING SAID SUPPORT SURFACE AND INCLUDING INTEGRAL SIDE LEGS ADJACENT TO AND OVERLYING RESPECTIVE END PIECES OF SAID FIRST MEMBER; A FORCE TRANSMITTING ROD DISPLACEABLY SUPPORTED IN SAID HANDLE AND TERMINATING IN A TRANSVERSE CROSS BAR DISPOSED ABOVE SAID FLOOR; AND MEANS CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID HANDLY AND SAID ROD FOR MOVING SAID ROD AND CROSS BAR RELATIVE TO SAID FLOOR, SAID END PIECES EACH INCLUDING VERTICAL GUIDE SLOTS IN COPLANAR RELATION WITH RESPECT TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF SAID HANDLE, SAID END PIECES INCLUDING PIVOT PINS IN COAXIAL ALIGNMENT AND OFFSET FROM AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID GUIDE SLOTS AND PROJECTING OUTWARDLY FROM SAID END PIECES, SAID SIDE LEGS INCLUDING PIVOT SEATS IN ALIGNMENT WITH SAID GUIDE SLOTS, THE DISTAL ENDS OF SAID CROSS BAR EXTENDING THROUGH SAID GUIDE SLOTS AND EXTENDING INTO SAID PIVOT SEATS, SAID LEGS INCLUDING SECOND GUIDE SLOTS OFFSET FROM SAID SEATS AND RECEIVING SAID PIVOT PINS THEREIN, SAID SECOND GUIDE SLOTS BEING OF A SHORTER LENGTH THAN SAID END PIECE GUIDE SLOTS WHEREBY RELATIVE MOVEMENT OF SAID CROSS BAR UPWARD FROM SAID FLOOR INITIALLY CAUSES SAID SECOND MEMBER TO MOVE VERTICALLY FROM SAID FIRST MEMBER THE EXTENT OF SAID SECOND GUIDE SLOTS, AND CONTINUED MOVEMENT OF SAID CROSS BAR IN SAID FIRST GUIDE SLOTS CAUSES SAID SECOND MEMBER TO PIVOT LATERALLY ABOUT SAID CROSS BAR AND OFF SAID FIRST MEMBER. 